Goat Islands study to be done, funding received

The Caribbean Coastal Area Management (C-CAM) Foundation has now received funding to carry out a cost effectiveness comparison of developing a port at the Goat Islands versus the Kingston Harbour.

C-CAM does conservation work in the Portland Bight Protected Area where the Goat Islands are located.

There has been much public debate since it was announced that China Harbour Engineering company was looking to build a transhipment port on the Goat Islands.

However, C-CAM’s Executive Director, Ingrid Parchment, says much of the discussion pits the environment against the economy without any meaningful conversation about the true costs and benefits of the proposed port development.

She says a contract has now been signed and US$50,000 provided to carry out an assessment of these issues.

Parchment says the study is expected to be completed in June after which the findings will be made public.